Watson praises decision regarding UT President Powers

Senator Kirk Watson issued the following statement Thursday regarding the meeting of the University of Texas System Regents on the future of University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers:

“Bill Powers is an asset to the University of Texas at Austin and the state it serves. His enormous value has long been apparent to alumni, faculty, legislators, Texans and academic leaders across the United States. I am pleased that Chancellor Cigarroa and Chairman Foster both recognized that value today in their statements of support.

“I agree with Chancellor Cigarroa that the Board of Regents’ and the System’s attention needs to be on the students, faculty and staff who make up the University of Texas at Austin. I have confidence in President Powers and Chancellor Cigarroa to assure that their relationship is strengthened in order to achieve that goal.

“Today must mark the end of the needless distractions and ill-advised conflicts that have inflicted too much damage on the university and our state.”